I need help on deciding on a leather jacket

[backstept]

my favorite leather jacket is brown, not shiny, waist length

in my opinion the hip length one is a bit more formal looking and would look best with a shirt and tie, while the waist length one would look better with more casual things like sweaters, polos and t-shirts

 

[Gaseous Anomaly]

Of the 2 you posted I like the look of the second one best.

 

[DiSiLLUSiON]

I don't like either of those jackets. They both scream "douche" to me, but maybe it's the model...

Go with something buff or distressed, not shiny, maybe brown, and a more interesting cut.

I agree, the jacket looks very plain. Sort of like a piece of leather stitched into a near-jacket without any attention to detail. I've seen those jackets on people, and they never flatter them. These jackets don't do much for figure, since they're so thin -- they tend to hang straight down. Thicker jackets are usually tailored in some sense, shows the bodycurves better.

That being said, I'd opt for the waist-length one. Hip length is a bit better in cold weather, however, since a good leather jacket will cost you a few hundred bucks, you might want to wear it for more then a year or so. A classic waist-cut is more timeless, thus, more usable. Don't go too classic though, folded collar flaps easily make a jacket look plain.

On the other hand, if you're comfortable with buying a new jacket every year, go for it.

I've got a leather jacket as well (see my avatar :P). Love the damn thing; I've got it for nearly 10 years now. All roughed up and weathered. Still looks fantastic, though. Ain't gonna buy a new one soon. Though I miss the smell of new leather.

Perhaps you'll like something like this?

Though I'd personally rather see a higher stiff collar on there, has a bit more character.

 

[Mallory]

The only leather jacket I have is the one I used to wear when I had motorcycles. Lots of zippered pockets and appropriately distressed after laying down the bike a couple of times. Since I haven't ridden in 20 years I guess I'll pass it down to my son in another year or so.

Mostly I just wear hooded, lined windbreakers these days. It doesn't get too cold here, but it does rain a lot.

 

[jamestyler]

I'm seconding DiSiLLUSiON's suggestion. It looks to have a lot more character to it and appears a lot less Fonzlike.
http://trekbbs.com/member.php?u=2899

 

[DiSiLLUSiON]

jamestyler: I like your taste in clothing.

 

[nevermore]

^That's much better, yes.

 

[JustKate]

When I buy a fairly expensive piece of clothing, my rule is, "It can't look outdated in just a year or two." So go for the most classic look you can. I would guess that neither of these is too terribly faddish, but...you tell me. You probably pay a lot more attention to men's fashions than I do.

Also, and this may be just me, I don't care for coats that are too short because they just don't do what a coat is supposed to do, and that's keep me warm. Waist-length jackets just let cold air shoot straight up, and what's the point of that?

Also, I'd recommend that you at least consider dark brown or dark gray rather than black. Those colors tend to look less...you know...thuggish, and they are just as versatile as black. Also, they suit more people's coloring than black does. A little bit of distressing or texture helps in the "I'm chic, not thuggish" department as well, particularly if you're set on black, and it makes the jacket more distinctive.

 

[FrontLine]

Ive always been a fan or brown bomber style leather jackets, but in colder climates the hip length is of course more practical. I say forget fashion and go with what you want.

 

[Holdfast]

Maybe it comes from the fact that I've never been into bikes, but I just don't really get the appeal of leather jackets. I do keep trying them on in stores, hoping to find one that I like, but they always feel too heavy & stiff for my liking and I wouldn't be able to wear it frequently enough to get it worn in. I guess they must wear in nicely if you wear them often though, which must feel good.

I guess I just prefer overcoats for colder weather or regular jackets for other times of year. I generally prefer structured/tailored garments to these kinds of item.

The ones that really do my head in are the leather jackets cut like a tailored jacket... at least the bike or military ones make sense for their respective contexts and I can sort of get how that appeal transfers across to other settings. But the ones cut like a regular single-breasted sportcoat?

 

[sidious618]

When I buy a fairly expensive piece of clothing, my rule is, "It can't look outdated in just a year or two." So go for the most classic look you can. I would guess that neither of these is too terribly faddish, but...you tell me. You probably pay a lot more attention to men's fashions than I do.

Also, and this may be just me, I don't care for coats that are too short because they just don't do what a coat is supposed to do, and that's keep me warm. Waist-length jackets just let cold air shoot straight up, and what's the point of that?

Also, I'd recommend that you at least consider dark brown or dark gray rather than black. Those colors tend to look less...you know...thuggish, and they are just as versatile as black. Also, they suit more people's coloring than black does. A little bit of distressing or texture helps in the "I'm chic, not thuggish" department as well, particularly if you're set on black, and it makes the jacket more distinctive.

Thanks, that was a much more insightful post than I imagined I'd get.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

How about ... Mal's browncoat from Firefly?

 

[sidious618]

So I bought one online today. It's a waist length brown coat. I'll post a picture of me in it when I get it.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

Sweet.

 

[cultcross]

How about ... Mal's browncoat from Firefly?

I always kinda wanted one of those.

 

[Tim]

I don't like either of those jackets. They both scream "douche" to me, but maybe it's the model...

They're also not very high-quality jackets. I can almost guarantee you that they're made in China from heavily processed pig skin.

Go with something buff or distressed, not shiny, maybe brown, and a more interesting cut.

Goat would have some grain while being durable. Artificial distressing is a tough one, since if done badly, it makes the jacket look stupid.

For the last jacket I bought, I chose the fairly classic A-2 flight jacket. Now if the OP wants to look like Marlon Brando, he could always drop $500+ for a genuine Schott Perfecto.

 

[jamestyler]

jamestyler: I like your taste in clothing.

You may change that opinion if you ever saw me in the street